April 30, 2024
Month: April 2024
“What’s Your Story?”Curtis Joseph, Attorney & Musician
Everyone has a story.
Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s Tony Taglavore takes to lunch a local person — someone who is well-known, successful, and/or influential, and asks, “What’s Your Story?”
By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services
The foreperson stood, ready to announce the jury’s verdict.
Curtis Joseph and his client, a Shreveport bar owner on trial for second-degree murder, also stood.
Family and friends of the victim sat on the edge of their seats.
In a matter of seconds, the man accused of killing their loved one — Curtis’ client — would either walk free or go to prison.
Guilty.
Sentenced to 40 years in the Louisiana State Penitentiary, otherwise known as Angola.
That night, Curtis went home. Curtis’ client will likely never see his home again.
“I was relieved,” Curtis told me, not of the verdict, but that the week-long trial was over.” If you’ve never represented someone whose life is on the scale — I’ve never felt this ball of tension in my stomach like I did when I represented him in that case.”
Curtis remembers looking into his client’s eyes for the last time.
“I knew where he was going. I knew what the rest of his days on the planet would be like. But our life is the consequence of our decisions, right?
So, did Curtis think all along his client was innocent?
“I wasn’t sure. The jury found that he was guilty. But I wasn’t in the room when (the crime) went down.”
So, if Curtis wasn’t sure, how could he, in good consciousness, argue his client’s innocence?
“That’s my job. I represent that person. I speak for them. It’s not on me to judge them, and I certainly hope no one would judge me on my worst day . . . . I’m not God. I can’t ascribe any judgement to anyone.”
Curtis told me this story, and his story, during lunch at a place of his choosing. Rhino Coffee is just up Texas Street from the Caddo Parish Courthouse, where earlier Curtis had appeared before a judge to receive a case ruling. Curtis took his lunch to go, a BLT, with a side of fruit, and an orange juice. I enjoyed the Southfield Avocado wrap with pita chips and water.
“My story really starts with her,” Curtis said of his 72 year-old mother, Linda. As a young girl, Linda, the ninth of 10 children, sharecropped cotton in Frierson, Louisiana.
“She was really bright. Early on, they could tell how sharp she was. So, she picked a little less cotton than her older siblings, and went to school a little bit more.”
Linda was so bright, she finished high school in three years and college in three years, eventually joining the Army as a chemical engineer.
Curtis’ story starts with his mother because she is the inspiration for who he is today.
“It’s like when you see a beautiful flower that creeps up in the middle of concrete. You look at that and think, ‘Alright, that life was determined to live. There was nothing that was going to keep that life from existing, even in that environment.’ How do you conceive the fact that you’re out picking cotton in the bald sun in Louisiana, that one day, I’m going to be a chemist. The audacity to have that as a dream.”
As a child, Curtis also had a dream.
“My mom tells me I came home one day when I was in second grade, looked at her, and said I wanted to be a lawyer. She said we didn’t know any lawyers, and didn’t know where I got that from. She asked me why? I told her I wanted to wear a nice suit and carry a briefcase.”
So it wasn’t a surprise the 52-year-old, who towers over most folks at six-feet, five-inches tall, arrived at lunch wearing a stylish dark and light grey pinstripe suit, with a complimentary grey pocket square. Curtis also wore an Open Road Stetson, in a nod to his affinity for former President Lyndon Baines Johnson. LBJ was seldom seen on his Texas ranch without his Open Road.
Curtis calls his childhood “Disjointed”, the product of having a military mom. Growing up, Curtis bounced from his aunt’s house in Shreveport, to Colorado, Missouri, and Germany. And that’s not counting New York, where, before enlisting, his mom worked for Eastman Kodak.
“I would start school in one city, and I might wind up finishing in another city. So much so that sometimes I would think I was going to the next grade, and it was still the same school year.”
But moving so often gave Curtis an education outside the classroom.
“It forced me at an early age to get to know people and to see people. All different types of people, in different environments.”
For the most part, Curtis’ childhood environment didn’t include his father. Curtis’ parents got divorced when Curtis was 12. His dad stayed out of his son’s life for nine years.
“They needed to divorce. This is where sociology comes into play. People often look at end results without seeing how situations develop. He didn’t know his father, so you wind up in a situation where you don’t know what’s expected. You don’t know what you’re supposed to be doing—what my role is. What my function is. I don’t begrudge him any of that.”
And Curtis, the married father of two children, doesn’t hold a grudge. He and his father have reconciled.
“He’s a good guy. He’s in a better place now.”
In the early 2000’s, Curtis was in a good place. Having graduated with a law degree from Washington and Lee University, he was back in Shreveport working for then well-known attorney Wellborn Jack, Jr. But there was one itch Curtis was dying to scratch.
He wanted to be a professional musician.
As a boy, when Curtis’ church got a set of drums, he taught himself to play. In law school, Curtis played in a band. But who would quit being an attorney to travel the country in a van and play music late into the night?
“She thought I was nuts,” Curtis said of his mom’s reaction. “She said, ‘You mean to tell me you’re going to do this?’. I said, ‘Just trust me.'”
So, Curtis moved to New Orleans, got together with two of his old college band mates, made and sold a CD, and traveled state-to-state. But after Curtis “promptly went through” the money he had saved, Curtis turned to his mom.
“I called her up. I needed help with my rent and my car insurance. My nickname is “Bud”. She said, ‘Bud, baby, you quit a good paying job to go down there and play music. You’ll figure it out.”
And Curtis did. To help support his music career, Curtis eventually got a job teaching middle school. Curtis wasn’t enjoying the comfortable lifestyle of a lawyer, but he was enjoying life.
“I knew I would only live one time. I’m not much on regret. I like to do things my way as best as possible. (I like to do) what makes me happy. If I didn’t do it, I knew I would regret not having done it. I didn’t go into it thinking I was going to be Dave Matthews. I knew that ultimately, I would be practicing law. I told my mom, ‘Look, I’m going to go do this and I’m going to come back and they will still be practicing law, I promise you. If they’re not still practicing law, something dreadful has happened.'”
Now, Curtis is doing both, appearing in courtrooms and on stage. He plays in two bands, beating the drums to everything from jazz and blues, to the Isley Brothers.
“They love it, Curtis said of the people who see him at his day job, taking depositions and trying cases. “I think people intuitively enjoy seeing somebody doing something they enjoy doing. People may not admit this, but there are some who didn’t have the gumption to make a move like that. I think they enjoy seeing somebody else doing something that they didn’t quite have it in them to do.”
Because Curtis’ earlier courtroom appearance ran long, he and I were tight on time. So, I asked my final question. As always, what is it about his life story that can be helpful to others? Spoken as eloquently as if he was giving final arguments, this year’s Vice-President of the Committee of 100 had three answers:
* “Be unapologetically who you are. Be the things you want to be. Put the work forward toward achieving those things, knowing you can.”
* “Make decisions that make you feel good about yourself . . . . Just trust yourself and listen to that voice. You can call it God. You can call it The Universe. But, we all have that voice inside that tells us. We know right from wrong. We know what we should be doing.”
* “Be a contributor to your society. Try to make things better. We’re here to assist and help one another. I think we have the capacity to show love, to show kindness, to show generosity, to lend a helping hand. Be there, and you will be shocked at the return you get, and the difference you can make in somebody’s life, just by spending a few moments with them.”
Curtis spent a few moments with me, and made a difference.
Do you know someone who has a story?
Email SBJTonyT@gmail.com.
BPSB to join state lawsuit against U.S. Department of Education
The Bossier Parish School Board unanimously passed a resolution to join the State of Louisiana in litigation against the U.S. Department of Education, challenging changes in Title IX regulations that are seen as the equivalent of federal overreach.
The new Title IX rules would require schools receiving federal funding to allow biological males who identify as females to receive access to women and girls’ restrooms and locker rooms. Furthermore, the new rules would force educators to reference students by names and pronouns not consistent with their biological sex.
Not only is it the position of the Bossier Parish School Board that these regulations are contradictory to both state and federal law and the original intent of Title IX, but they also do not reflect the community standards upheld in Bossier Parish.
In solidarity with the Louisiana Department of Education, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, it will remain Bossier Schools’ position and practice not to alter policies or procedures until this issue makes its way through the courts.
Bossier City man flies kites, brings joy to children
By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Sports
Bossier City’s Donny King and his wife of 36 years, Sandra Kay, would go to a park most every day.
It was part of Sandra Kay’s recovery.
“She became ill in 2013,” King said. “She had a carotid artery, then had a stroke during her recovery. She overcame the stroke, but had to go on dialysis for five-and-a-half years. We would come to Brownlee Park. . . . One day, I noticed the wind, and said, ‘It’s time to fly a kite.’ 10 years later, I haven’t looked back.”
Sandra died in 2018, but Donny’s love of navigating a piece of fabric through the brisk wind is alive.
“Peace and comfort. It’s a joy. Nothing more than watching a waterfall, or going to the beach and listening to the waves. I can sit for hours, and sometimes I read a book. You can’t see the wind, but you can see the results of the wind. It’s just pleasurable.”
Most every day — King guesses 350 days — you can find the 70 year old at a park, or in a field on the side of the road, neck cocked back, looking at the sky.
The back of King’s 2019 Toyota Tacoma is crammed with kites and string.
“You have different qualities of kites. Nowhere near when you had the kite shops back in the 1970’s and 80’s. Everything has gone to the foreign market. But, they still make good quality kites. You basically have Diamond kites, Delta kites, Box kites, and Stunt/Trick kites.”
King has them all.
“I own about 55 kites, and I have 12 kite reels. I enjoy giving kites to little ones, and bringing them some happiness.”
Donny and Sandra didn’t have children. But, Donny gives away kites to most any kid he sees — his way of making a difference in a child’s life.
“It’s the look on their face. It’s the happiness. It’s the joy. Not only that, but when we as adults experience a tragedy in life, if we will forget about our own selves and give to others, there’s much, much happiness to be received.”
Of all the kites King owns, there is a special kite. The one with German colors. Its meaning has nothing to do with how much the kite cost, the shape of the kite, or its material. It reminds King of an Angel Mom in Arkansas.
“She had lost a son in a vehicle accident to an illegal immigrant who had been deported twice and came back. He was the cause of the accident. She signed her son’s name and date of birth (on the kite.)”
In other words, some of King’s kites are personal.
“I was flying a kite at Airline (High School’s) stadium one day, and there was a young man who had lost his life. He is buried where my wife is buried. A lady stopped by and said, ‘Can I take a picture of your kite?’ I said, ‘Sure’, and she told me the story, and I figured out where her son was buried. I had read his marker many times. I allowed that kite to be my memorial kite. So, anybody who has had an influence in my life, or showed an interest in kites, I will put their name on it.”
The first few years after Sandra died, Donny flew kites as a way to cope with the void in his life.
“Today, I don’t look at it as grief. I look at it as an opportunity for me to laugh, and smile, and help others. You never know what other people are experiencing.”
Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com.
Bossier schools graduation dates, senior walk information
Graduation season is upon us and in less than two weeks the Senior Class of 2024 will receive their hard-earned high school diplomas.
In addition to the commencement ceremonies, graduating seniors will return to elementary schools in Bossier Parish for a beloved tradition called “Senior Walk,” where they wear their caps and gowns and parade through the halls as younger students cheer them on.
Below is a schedule of Senior Walks that are planned, along with graduation dates and times. A graphic is also attached.
Robeline News
Senior Walks:
Monday, May 6
W.T. Lewis Elementary at 1 pm, 4701 Modica Lott Rd. in Bossier
Curtis Elementary at 1 pm, 5600 Barksdale Blvd. in Bossier
Bellaire Elementary at 2 pm, 1310 Bellaire Blvd. in Bossier
Sun City Elementary at 2 pm, 4230 Van Deeman in Bossier
Elm Grove Elementary at 2 pm, 1541 Old Hwy. 71 in Elm Grove
Wednesday, May 8
Kerr Elementary at 1 pm, 1700 Airline Drive in Bossier
Meadowview Elementary at 12:30 pm, 4312 Shed Road in Bossier
Apollo Elementary at 1:15 pm, 2400 Viking Drive in Bossier
Benton Elementary at 1 pm, 562 Hwy. 162 in Benton
Benton Elementary at 1:30 pm, 562 Hwy. 162 in Benton
Legacy Elementary at 1:30 pm, 4830 Swan Lake Rd. in Bossier
Thursday, May 9
T.L. Rodes, Platt and Princeton Elementary Schools at 9 am 4670 Hwy 80 East in Haughton
*Starts at T.L. Rodes, then proceeds next door to Platt. Seniors then drive to Princeton.
Central Park Elementary at 12:45 pm, 900 Central Park Blvd. in Bossier
Friday, May 10
Kingston Elementary at 9 am, 349 Fairburn Ave. in Benton
Stockwell Place Elementary at 2 pm, 5801 Shed Rd. in Bossier
Graduation Ceremonies
Friday, May 10
Plain Dealing High School at 6 pm in the Bobby Bryant Gymnasium, 300 E. Vance Street in Plain Dealing
Saturday, May 11 (all graduation ceremonies to be held at Brookshire Grocery Arena
Parkway at 9 a.m.
Bossier at 10:30 a.m.
Benton at 12:00 p.m.
Haughton at 2 p.m.
Airline at 4 p.m.
Ponderings by Doug
“Lost as a he-haint in high weeds.”
I have used it before, and it still applies. Some people are that lost. For you folks that don’t speak with an Alabama accent, a “he-haint” is a male ghost. And a male ghost in a corn field, or a field with high weeds, is very lost!
Before GPS, most men would refuse to stop and ask for directions. It is in our genetic coding. Our brides would demand that we stop at the sketchy-looking convenience store and ask for directions. Our universal response was, “Honey, I think I recognize that water tower and I know where I am.” After another hour of being lost, the exasperated wife would demand we stop. She would walk into the same sketchy-looking convenience store and ask for directions. With the advent of GPS technology, men don’t need to ask for directions. Now we are never lost. If there is a problem, we blame it on that nice British woman speaking through our GPS. Google is infallible, right?
I do like to make my GPS lady mad by not following her directions. She will tell me to make a “legal U turn” or she will woefully offer the words, “recalculating.”
The notion of a male being lost for all eternity is both sad and humorous. Maybe that’s what a ghost is, a person who refuses to ask for directions on their journey to the pearly gates. They will eventually catch on to the fact that it is OK to ask for directions and go on to eternal bliss.
If you see someone who is lost, what should you do about point them in the right direction? Do you have an obligation to warn them that they are lost?
With all this technology in automobiles, how can anyone be lost?
The other day I was doing a wedding in Simsboro. It is a nice new wedding venue. I programmed my car to get me there. The car did a great job of making sure I arrived on time. As I left the wedding, I looked at the car map. According to my car, I was driving in the middle of nowhere. I was not on a road, nor was I headed in a direction. I wondered how long it would be before my vehicle would correct the navigation system oversight. It was amusing because the wedding was over. What if the same thing happened as I was headed to the wedding? Heading to the wedding and being lost would have been a most unpleasant experience. Being lost is a matter of destination and the perspective of time. Let me ask you three questions about your life journey.
In life’s journey, where are you? Where are you headed? Do you have a nagging feeling that you might have lost your way? Spiritually, how you do recalculate the journey?
When you are lost, how do you “get found?”
I think the question has a spiritual dimension and an answer involving Jesus.
The truth is He’ll leave the ninety-nine and go looking for the one that is lost.
With No. 1 Aggies incoming for SEC series, desperate LSU can’t look past Grambling tonight
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE – Former LSU head baseball coach Skip Bertman passed his adage of shrugging off occasional non-conference losses to Paul Mainieri, one of his successors.
But current Tigers’ coach Jay Johnson doesn’t subscribe to such an approach.
Especially not this season when LSU (28-17, 7-14 SEC), by winning 4 of its last 6 conference games after a 3-12 start in the league, is scrounging for every positive morsel to stick on a resume to rally for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid.
It’s why prospective home wins over Grambling (18-22) tonight in Alex Box Stadium and Northwestern State (18-26) next Tuesday in the last two non-conference games of the regular season are suddenly huge.
“Tuesday is a must-win game, there’s no question about that,” Johnson said of playing Grambling. “If we can win those two (Grambling and NSU), then we’ll be 23 and 3 outside the league. I don’t know that there’s five teams in the country that can say that.”
There probably hasn’t been a defending national champion from the SEC that lost its first five conference series the following season and rallied down the stretch to steal an at-large NCAA tourney invite.
Three weeks ago, LSU had just about written its obituary for the 2024 season after being swept at Tennessee, the fourth of five SEC teams ranked nationally in the top 6 to hammer the Tigers.
But by finally playing and winning series over league bottom-feeders Missouri and Auburn the last two weekends, LSU’s NCAA Tournament chances now have a faint heartbeat.
“When it could have been easy to pack things in, I’ve watched a lot of guys show up to the ballpark every day, still put in work and still grow and still compete,” LSU grad student catcher Alex Milazzo said. “That’s what I’m most proud of right now.”
While the Tigers’ offense has hit a collective .293 in taking 2 of 3 games (12-1, 7-8, 6-2) at Missouri and 2 of 3 (5-0, 3-2, 5-7) at home vs. Auburn, it still averaged just 6.3 runs and batted .157 (3 of 19) with runners in scoring position.
What has finally come alive for LSU is what Johnson has been waiting on since league play started in March.
“Why we’re winning right now is the pitching staff,” Johnson said.
In their last two league series, 14 Tigers’ pitchers have combined for a 3.18 earned run average with 11 strikeouts and 2.2 walks per game in 51 innings.
Finally, against Auburn, the starting pitching moons aligned in Game 1 and Game 2.
UCLA transfer Gage Jump threw 7 scoreless innings in the series-opening win, allowing 2 hits. Alabama transfer Luke Holman followed in Game 2 by giving up 2 runs (1 earned) and 2 hits in 6.2 innings.
“This is the first weekend where Luke and Gage pitched really well together, and we won the series,” Johnson said. “Those were the two best pitchers in the transfer portal.”
Jump, who missed all of last season at UCLA rehabbing from Tommy John arm surgery, has been a terror the last two weekends as a Game 1 starter after his first five starts (3 as a Game 2 starter and one each as a Game 1 and a Game 3 starter) were painful learning lessons.
Against Mississippi State, Florida, Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Tennessee, Jump had a combined 7.66 ERA while striking out 22 and walking 13 in 22.1 innings.
In his last two starts vs. Missouri and Auburn, his combined ERA was 0.64 in a pair of 7-inning appearances. He allowed 5 hits and 1 earned run with a 20 to 1 strikeout to walks ratio.
“I always want to learn things, so the more I pitch the better I am,” Jump said. “Right now, it’s learning hitters’ swings, especially in the at-bats. The past couple of games I read a swing and I decided on a pitch I wanted to go with.”
LSU has a chance to make a huge statement to the NCAA tourney selection committee this weekend when the Tigers host No. 1 ranked Texas A&M (38-6, 15-6) starting Friday night.
“I feel like the mentality with this team is we’re right there,” said LSU outfielder Josh Pearson, who had the game-winning walk-off single in a 3-2 Game 2 win over Auburn. “We know how we can play and we know we haven’t been playing how we can. We know we just got to get over the hump and then we’ll be there.”
Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com
Mudbugs this time of year are good boiled, and on ice
I can’t get enough when this special season rolls around every spring.
No doubt, my favorite mudbugs are boiled.
But the local Mudbugs are growing on me. They’re awfully good on ice.
Confession, and I am not proud of it: I have yet to try a Shreveport Mudbugs hockey game.
It’s odd, really. My family roots are just north of Pittsburgh – not Texas, but the Steel City, where my cousins and their kids are devoted Penguins fans. We moved south when I was a second-grader, before I ever pulled on a pair of skates.
Hockey in Shreveport wasn’t born until I was nearly eligible for those Life Begins at 40 golf tournaments. I was wrapped up in college sports and despite friends telling me how fun Mudbugs’ games were, I passed on invitations.
I’ve regretted it from time to time. This is one of those times. The Mudbug product is at its peak, again, after Monday night’s do-or-cry Game 5 win, 2-0 over El Paso, at The Hirsch, aka George’s Pond.
I’ve been on the ice at The Hirsch, kind of. For a wedding reception. It was cool, in more ways than one. No skates required.
Now I’m about to become bandwagon boy. Gonna have to see it for myself, this rite of spring in Shreveport, another high-stakes postseason series, the South Division Finals in the chase for the Robertson Cup.
It’s not exactly traditional, but it is far from unprecedented. Shreveport is a hockey hotbed, and the Mudbugs have been big winners for longer than LSU football’s Golden Era. Scott Muscutt is the local Nick Saban. Alabama fans better hope Kalen DeBoer is half as good as Jason “Soupy” Campbell has been following Muscutt, now the ‘Bugs’ GM.
Here they are again, in their second straight division finals, and in a recurring theme it’s a showdown with longtime rivals, the Lone Star Brahmas. The teams get along like my Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. They hit hard, they play hard, and the toughest team wins. Or so my hockey-savvy pals tell me.
This, I’ve gotta see.
I will probably not understand the finer points of playoff hockey, although there is one thing I do have a firm grasp on. My pregame routine will include a visit to the Market Restaurant for some Louisiana mudbugs.
I’m sure I’ll enjoy both kinds.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com
Four local clubs take different routes to quarterfinals
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
The four local high school baseball teams moving forward into this weekend’s state quarterfinals came up with whatever was necessary to survive second-round postseason tests.
Benton got great pitching and committed one error to knock off No. 4 Dutchtown, 2-1 Friday and 3-0 Saturday on the road in a Non-Select Division I best-of-3 series.
Kade Bryant pitched a complete game three-hitter with three walks and eight strikeouts in the first game win. He also figured into the seventh-inning rally when the Tigers scored both of their runs. Bryson Pierce and Bryant walked with one out. Griffin Sibley followed a strikeout with a 2-run single to put the Tigers ahead 2-1.
In Game 2, Thomas Allen matched Bryant’s brilliance with a 3-hitter, with two walks and nine strikeouts. Benton (29-9) scored twice in the fourth inning. A fielding error allowed the Tigers first run to score and Hayden Millen was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the second run. Bryant singled in the third run in the fifth bringing in Hudson Brignac. Five other Tigers had singles in the game.
Northwood defeated Byrd 3-2 on Friday and 10-4 Saturday to advance. Falcon pitcher Jack Carlisle and Yellow Jacket Julien Vinet were both sharp on the mound with complete games. Carlisle earned the win, allowing seven hits, two runs, one earned with seven strikeouts. Vinet allowed six hits, walked three and struck out three. The Falcons scored twice in the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. Hayden Phipps singled in Jaxon Bentzler for the first run and scored on an error for the second run.
Bentzler finished the opening game 2-for-3 and Hutson Hearron was 2-for-2 for Northwood. Hunter Koos had two hits for Byrd and an RBI.
The Yellow Jackets took a 3-1 lead into the fifth inning of Game 2 when the Falcons scored four times on a Bentzler grand slam and added five more in the seventh for insurance. Hearron had a 2-run double and Phipps singled in a run in the seventh. Tucker McCabe and Hearron both had a pair of hits for Northwood (28-6).
Ryan Lee hit a 2-run home run for Byrd (11-23) in the first inning, Koos doubled and later scored on an error. Lee finished 2-for-4 and Koos was 2-for-3.
Parkway fell to No. 6 Live Oak 8-4 and 10-3 on the road. Jax Thomson, Maddox Cockerham, Shawn Driggers, Kamron Blackshire, Cole Snell and Jackson Holmes all had hits for the Panthers in the first game loss. The Eagles led 6-0 after three innings when the Panthers scored once in the fourth and three times in the fifth inning to get within 6-4.
The Panthers scored three times in the fourth inning of Game 2 to take a 3-2 lead but the Eagles posted four runs in each the sixth and seventh innings. Abel Thetford had two of Parkway’s four hits.
Captain Shreve (27-10) scored an 11-3 second-game win only to lose the rubber match 3-0 Saturday to Acadiana (17-16-1) in Select Division I. Aron Gillum doubled, tripled and homered from his leadoff spot and Andrew Sharp was 2-for-3 with a triple and got the Gators’ win on the mound working five innings, allowing three runs, one earned. Carter Reynolds had three hits and four RBI, Jackson Gaskin singled and doubled, Denton Hester was 2-for-4 and Christopher Peyton 2-for-4 for the Gators who finished with 17 hits.
Calvary took both ends of a must-win doubleheader Friday night (6-0, 9-2) to knock out visiting Episcopal in Select Division III. Aubrey Hermes was 6-for-8 in the two games. Judson Funderburk allowed two hits over six innings in the first-game shutout while striking out eight. Funderburk was 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot in the Game 2 win. Landon Smith was nearly unhittable allowing two hits and struck out 12 in the complete game win.
Evangel surprised No. 4 Buckeye on the road in a series the Eagles wrapped up on Thursday.
Loyola (16-19) dropped both weekend games in Baton Rouge to No. 2 seed Parkview Baptist 8-1, 9-1. The Flyers were limited to three hits in each game, with Hayden Horton getting a hit in each game.
Dozens of local qualifiers headed to 5A, 4A state track meet
JOURNAL SPORTS
Local athletes competed in LHSAA regional track and field meets last week with the top three in each event qualifying for this week’s state track meet to be held at the Bernice Moore Track Stadium at LSU beginning Thursday. This is a list of the local qualifiers for the Class 5A and 4A meet to take place on Saturday with their place and time or distance in the regional meets.
Class 5A local qualifiers
GIRLS
3200-Relay – 3rd. Parkway, 10:06.98 (Allison, Taylor, Raquel Rios, Lauren Taylor, Sofia Bright).
100-Hurdles – 2nd. Leah Bryant, CS, 16.10; 3rd. Tia Taylor, CS, 16.36.
100 – 3rd. Kezyriah Sykes, Air, 12.37.
1600 – 2nd. Jenna Key, Byrd, 5:12.46; 3rd. Sya Bolden, Comeaux, 5:13.66.
400-Relay – 2nd. Airline (Kezyriah Sykes, Jaycie Wallace, Rikiyah Taylor, Janiyah Boudreaux), 47.87.
400 – 2nd. Addyson Hulett, Benton, 56.63.
100-Hurdles – 3rd. L. Bryant, CS, 47.49.
200 – 2nd. Jaycie Wallace, Airline, 25.64.
3200 – 1st. Jenna Key, Byrd, 11:29.12; 3rd. Spencer Frierson, Byrd, 11:46.60.
Triple jump – 3rd. Janiyah Boudreaux, Airline, 34-1 ½.
High jump – 2nd. Shelby Ladet, Airline 5-2.
Shot put – 3rd. Jayla James, Parkway, 36-7.
Discus – 3rd. Aniya Hill, Haughton, 121-7.
Javelin – 2nd. Sadie Hamby, Benton, 129-4 ¾; 3. Chloe Larry, Parkway, 123-7.
Pole Vault – 2nd. Addyson Hulett, Benton, 9-6.
BOYS
3200 – 2nd. Parkway (Alex Gomez, Jesus Cordova, Ben Ruliffson, Gary Smith), 8:06.18.
110-Hurdles – 1st. Jeremiah Boudreaux, Airline, 14.35; 2nd. Zion Smith, Airline, 15.23.
800-Relay – 3rd. Captain Shreve (Darrell Waldon, Jamarcea Plater, Dakota Green, Coren Hill), 1:29.76.
1600 – 2nd. Brennan Robin, Parkway, 4:33.09; 3rd. Gabriel Falting, Parkway, 4:33.86.
400 – 2nd. Will Achee, Parkway, 48.03.
300-Hurdles – 1st. Jeremiah Boudreaux, Airline, 37.16; 2nd. Zion Smith, Airline, 39.79.
800 – 2nd. Gabriel Falting, Parkway, 1:56.94.
200 – 1st. Will Achee, Parkway, 21.64.
3200 – 3rd. Ben Ruliffson, Parkway, 9:54.97.
1600 – Relay – 1st. Parkway (Brennan Robin, Gabriel Falting, Will Achee, Brody Hocter), 3:20.47; 3rd. Airline (Phillip Hughes, Gabe Laval, Jeremiah Boudreaux, Lathan Woodland), 3:22.45.
Triple jump – 3rd. Mark Perry, Benton, 45-2 ½.
High jump – 2nd. Jeremiah Boudreaux, Airline, 6-6.
Shot put – 1st. Devon Oliver, Parkway 53-8 ¾.
Discus – 1st. Devon Oliver, Parkway, 176-4; 3rd. Malik Word, Airline, 164-3.
Jevelin – 3rd. Jeff King, Benton, 183-8 ¼.
Pole Vault – 1st. Miller Malley, Benton, 13-6.
Class 4A local qualifiers.
GIRLS
100 – 1st. Haliey Evans, Huntington, 12.63; 3rd. Janayah Dotson, Huntington, 12.81.
200 – 1st. Demetria Harris, Huntington, 25.737; 2nd. T’La Dewitt, Huntington, 26.14.
400 – 1st. J. Dotson, Huntington, 58.39; 3rd. Aniyah Jackson, Huntington, 1;00.49.
800 – 3rd. Shuntae First, Huntington, 2:38.32.
1600 – 3rd. Bryn Wilhelm, Caddo Magnet, 5:48.28.
3200 – 3rd. Catherine McElroy, Caddo Magnet, 13:48.72.
100-Hurdles – 1st. D. Harris, Huntington, 14.79; 3rd. Terriona Richmond, Huntington, 16.39.
300-Hurdles – 2nd. Kaylie Dupree, Huntington, 48.74; 3rd. Zamarion Carter, Bossier, 49.46.
400-Relay – 1st. Huntington (Jaila Marshall, McKenzie Lott, Nyla Ware, Markevia Green) 48.6.
800-Relay – 1st. Huntington (A. Jackson, J. Dotson N. Ware, M. Green) 1:42.7.
1600-Relay – 2nd. Huntington 4:09.51.
Long jump – 1st. D. Harris, Huntington, 17-6 ½; 3rd. H. Evans, Huntington, 16-10 ¾.
Triple jump – 1st. D. Harris, Huntington, 39-9.
High jump – 1st. Anaiyah Narvaja, Huntington, 5-2.
Shot put – 1st. SheLunda Brooks, Woodlawn, 35-4 ¼.
BOYS
200 – 1st. Tyreek Robinson, Evangel, 22.32; 3rd. Roy Morris, Evangel, 22.51.
400 – 2nd. Preston Summage, Huntington, 48.89.
1600 – 2nd. Jack Pattillo, Caddo Magnet, 4:41.83; 3rd. Lee Ballard, Caddo Magnet, 4:41.99.
3200 – 3rd. Lee Bellard, Caddo Magnet, 11:03.48.
300-Hurdles – 1st. James Hollingsworth, Northwood, 39.52.
400-relay – 1st. Northwood (Desmond Harris, Justin Thomas, Jeremiah Johnson, J. Hollingsworth), 42.35; 2nd. Evangel 42.65.
800-Relay – 1st. Northwood (Jalil Wainwright, James Hollingsworth, J. Johnson, J. Thomas), 1:28.31; 3rd. Evangel 1:28.78.
Long jump – 1st. Roy Morris, Evangel, 23-1 ½; 2nd. Duntravious Young, Northwood, 21-1 ½.
High jump – 1st. Landon Gibbs, Huntington, 6-8.
Javelin – 3rd. Quan’Travious Bradford, Huntington, 155-9 ¼.
State golf championships pushed back a day
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
The LHSAA boys and girls state golf championships were postponed Monday due to the stormy weather which pushed back the start to today, and the tournaments will now conclude on Wednesday in the Lafayette area.
Girls Divisions I and II will start today at 9 a.m. and play 18 holes and another 18 on Wednesday. Both divisions will be played at Les Vieux Chenes Golf Club in Youngsville.
Local individuals playing in Division I include Grace Goodwin and Abigail McWilliams of Benton, Captain Shreve’s Addison Montoya and Haylee Crowder from Haughton. Loyola golfers Julia Braud and Kathryn Jackson will tee it up for Loyola.
Boys Division I will tee off at The Wetlands in Lafayette. Byrd’s team of James Holtsclaw, Brooks Reid, Grant Reagan, Shep Smith and Campbell Gosslee will be playing for a third consecutive state title. Last year’s runner-up Benton will have Kade Bryant, Cason Toms, Miller Davis, Colton Halverson and Auston Race participating. Northwood’s Ryder Briggs also qualified for championship play.
Teams from Loyola and Calvary qualified for the Division III championship to be played at The Farm d’Allie in Carencro. Representing the Flyers will be Connor Cassano, Charles Valiulis, Jack Gilmer, Charlie Bell and Collier White. Playing for the Cavaliers are Kruze Savage, Noah Wassom, Ezra Smith, Jack Testa and Tripp Jones.
Shreveport PD arrests four sex offenders for failure to register
The Shreveport Police Department Sex Crimes Unit has apprehended four individuals who failed to register as sex offenders following their convictions for sexually based crimes.
The arrested individuals are:
- Troy Bellamy, 53 years old
- Johnny Telsee, 63 years old
- Jermal Franks, 28 years old
- Vincent Brown, 55 years old
The Shreveport Police Department Sex Crimes Detective Unit executed the arrests as part of ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with registration requirements and to safeguard the community from potential risks posed by sex offenders.
While the booking photographs of the suspects are not publicly releasable due to being labeled as non-violent offenses by state law, detailed information regarding each individual’s sex crimes convictions is available for public access and is attached to this release is a link for public search of the offenders’ details.
For more information and to access the offenders’ details, please visit Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office OffenderWatch® sex offender management, mapping and email alert program (icrimewatch.net)
We are required to remind that all suspects are innocent until found guilty.
Shreveport Police arrest convicted felon in possession of firearm
Shreveport Police Department officers conducted a proactive check on a suspicious individual on April 26 around 7:30 pm at the intersection of West 70th Street and Linwood Avenue. Upon contact, the individual was identified as 33-year-old Jeffrey Floyd.
During the encounter, officers discovered that Floyd was in possession of a firearm. Further investigation revealed that Floyd is a convicted felon, rendering his possession of a firearm illegal under state and federal law.
As a result of these findings, Floyd has been formally charged with one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The Shreveport Police Department reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our community by diligently enforcing firearm laws and holding individuals accountable for illegal possession.
We are required to remind that all suspects are innocent until found guilty.
Shreveport Police arrest convicted felon during traffic stop
Shreveport Police Department officers conducted a proactive traffic stop on April 27 around 2 am at the intersection of Hearne Avenue and Hollywood Avenue. During the stop, officers contacted 22-year-old Jataurion Mason.
Ensuing investigation revealed that Mason was in possession of a firearm, contravening Louisiana state law as a convicted felon. Additionally, Mason was found to have an outstanding fugitive warrant.
In light of these findings, Jataurion Mason was promptly placed under arrest. He now faces charges including one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and the outstanding fugitive warrant.
We are required to remind that all suspects are innocent until found guilty.
Shreveport Police make arrest for April 26 shooting incident
The Shreveport Police Department arrested 18-year-old Cedrick Edwards in connection with a shooting incident that took place on April 26 in the 3500 block of Wint 70th Street.
On April 26, at approximately 6:20 p.m., officers responded to a report of shots fired in the area. Upon arrival, it was determined that Cedrick Edwards was the suspect involved in the incident. Patrol officers swiftly took Edwards into custody.
Cedrick Edwards has been charged with one count of illegal use of a weapon. Thanks to the legislation passed in February 2024, re-establishing the illegal use of a weapon as a violent offense under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:2, law enforcement authorities are now able to release the booking photograph of these suspects.
We are required to remind that all suspects are innocent until found guilty.
Shreveport PD arrests suspect for 2020 stabbing incident
The Shreveport Police Department arrested 27-year-old Ambur Johnson in connection with a 2020 stabbing incident.
Johnson was apprehended on warrants for second-degree aggravated battery following an investigation into the incident, which occurred in the 1800 block of Acorn Street. The victim, a female, sustailed multiple lacerations allegedly inflicted by Johnson reportedly using a razor blade.
The diligent efforts of law enforcement officers led to the successful identification and apprehension of the suspect. Johnson is currently in custody, awaiting judicial proceedings.
The Shreveport Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
We are required to remind that all suspects are innocent until found guilty.
Shreveport PD seeks public assistance locating six armed robbery suspects
The Shreveport Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating six suspects wanted in connection with an armed robbery incident that occurred on April 7th, 2024.
On April 7th, officers responded to a report of an aggravated assault at 2959 Round Grove Lane.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a male victim injured as a result of an apparent robbery. The victim was promptly transported to a local area hospital for medical treatment and is expected to recover.
Detectives from the Shreveport Police Robbery Unit were immediately dispatched to commence their investigation.
Through diligent investigative efforts, detectives have identified six individuals believed to be responsible for the armed robbery. The suspects are identified as follows:
1. Caden Thomas – 17 years old
2. Marque Willis – 17 years old
3. Desmond George – 22 years old
4. Patrick Stricklin – 25 years old
5. Donovyn Simpson – 25 years old
6. Keandre Dodie – 19 years old
All six suspects are wanted on counts of armed robbery. The Shreveport Police Department urges anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these individuals to come forward and assist law enforcement in their apprehension.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Shreveport Police Department at 318-6737300 or Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
The Shreveport Police Department appreciates the cooperation and support of the community in helping to ensure the safety and security of all residents. Together, we can work towards justice and accountability for those involved in criminal activity.
Man arrested for battery of Shreveport PD officer
Shreveport Police Department officers responded to a call on April 27 around 1:30 am regarding an assault and battery incident at 2025 Marshall Street.
Upon arrival, officers encountered 28-year-old Brandon Harris, who was being asked to leave a nightclub at the location.
During the encounter, Harris became combative and proceeded to strike one of the Shreveport Police Officers. Despite the resistance, officers successfully apprehended Harris and took him into custody without further incident.
Brandon Harris has since been charged with one count of felony battery of a police officer and one count of resisting arrest. The officer involved in the altercation is expected to make a full recovery.
The Shreveport Police Department takes incidents involving violence against law enforcement officers very seriously. We remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our officers as they continue to serve and protect the community.
We are required to remind that all suspects are innocent until found guilty.
Wilderness Survival Camp
By Brad Dison
Reeve learned as a child how to survive. When he was a child, his parents recognized that there was something different about Reeve. He was highly intelligent but struggled with social interactions. He was unable to make friends, failed to understand social cues, became lost in his own thoughts, became obsessed with certain interests, and was unable to understand empathy. During conversations, Reeve would often stop mid-sentence and get a glazed look. He would pause, sometime for minutes, while his thoughts were processing. Sometimes he would continue the sentence where he left off as if nothing had happened. Other times, he would simply walk away. Reeve, the smallest child in his elementary class, was constantly targeted by bullies who enjoyed punching him in the face. As an adult, Reeve said, “If you have never been punched in the nose, you have no idea how it affects you the rest of your life.”
His mother thought he was a genius, but his father saw his awkwardness as a weakness. Reeve’s father often used physical and mental torture against him. Reeve’s father constantly berated Reeve and called him useless, an idiot, and, one that stuck more than the others, stupid. Although never officially diagnosed, Reeve was born with a neurodevelopmental disorder known as Asperger Syndrome. On the autism spectrum, someone with Asperger’s Syndrome is considered “high functioning.” Reeve’s father thought Reeve just needed toughening up.
When he was twelve years old, Reeve’s father sent him to a wilderness survival camp. At camp, counselors gave the children a small ration of food and water. The children were allowed, then encouraged, to fight the other children for their rations. The bigger, stronger kids thrived after beating up and stealing the food and water from the weaker ones. Reeve, small and socially awkward, was one of the weaker ones. At the end of the first week, the boys were divided into two groups and ordered to attack. The stronger team took the food and water from the weaker team. The children on both teams were left battered and bleeding. Every few years, a child died during the wilderness survival camp. Rather than altering the mission of the wilderness survival camp for safety, the counselors used the deaths as warnings. “Don’t be stupid like that dumb [expletive] who died last year,” they would say, “Don’t be the weak dumb [expletive].” When Reeve returned home from camp, he had lost ten pounds.
In college, Reeve still struggled to make friends, but he used his ability to concentrate for long periods of time to his advantage. He wrote a business plan for an electronic book service similar to the e-books many of us now read. Following college, Reeve, along with his brother and another student, founded a company that became known as Zip2 whose product was internet-based city guides with maps and directions. Most of us use this technology on our mobile phones to get directions. In February 1999, the founders sold Zip2 and Reeve received $22 million. In the following month, Reeve co-founded an online banking service and email payment company now called PayPal. Three years later, the founders sold PayPal to eBay for $1.5 billion in stock, and Reeve received $175.8 million. From there, Reeve cofounded two other companies which have become successful.
Despite what his father thought, Reeve was not worthless. He certainly was not stupid. Reeve still struggles with social interactions and refers to ideas that he disagrees with, even some of the ideas of his own employees, as stupid. “Adversity shaped me,” he claims. Reeve said the time at the wilderness survival camp taught him some necessary skills which have helped him run SpaceX and Tesla. Reeve is the middle name of Elon Musk.
Source: Walter Isaacson, Elon Musk, (New York, New York, Simon and Schuster, 2023).
May Artwalk: art, music, tarot card readings, demonstrations, and more fun
The Downtown Shreveport Artwalk will be held on Wednesday, May 1 from 5 – 8 pm. Artwalk has something for everyone and it’s free…it is the Downtown Development Authority’s gift to the community. A new component is being added this month. Robert Trudeau will offer his first Downtown Tells. You don’t want to miss it. This monthly event gives folks the chance to meet local artists, watch some create their works, buy local art, tour some of downtown’s cool buildings, and have an authentic downtown experience.
The event provides various food & drink options plus three hours of free entertainment all while exploring downtown. As in the past, Artwalk has no starting place or stopping point so that means where you start, the direction you take, and where you end is all up to you! A map to guide you for the event can be found at www.downtownshreveport.com/artwalk.
Wear comfortable shoes and a light sweater while you find your way to these participating stops:
Agora Borealis, 421 Lake Street – Katy Larsen promises the artists at her studio are incredibly talented and will have fantastic art to display and sell. If you want to gain insight into the past, present or future, you’ll want to visit with Tarot Card Reader Brooke Marcum.
Sanctuary Glass Studio, 421 Lake Street – Eric Hess will have three glass artists doing demonstrations and selling their beautiful glass creations.
Lee Hardware Apartments, 719 Edwards – Pop-up artists, demonstration for wire wrapping by Joan Nerrettig, and more. New to Artwalk will be Downtown Tells with Trudeau. Robert Trudeau will spin an historic “tell” the story of: Ol Norman, the barber, who was a free black who migrated to Shreveport in the 1840’s and led the Ethiopian Orchestra. There’s more to his story…..come find out for yourself! Artwalk favorite Mischa Farrell returns with her Sketch the City activity.
Crockett Street Trading Company, 431 Crockett Street –Come browse a variety of gifts, specialty items, and more along with pop-up artists.
429 Crockett Street – A variety of pop-up artists will feature their art, and if you’re tired, you can get a free massage by Tara.
So much to experience: find your very special art piece, visit with local artists, and experience downtown Shreveport. Check back at www.downtownshreveport.com/artwalk or on Facebook at Downtown Shreveport Artwalk for more information.
Notice of Death – April 29, 2024
I. T “Huut” Horton, Jr.
February 8, 1944 ~ April 25, 2024
Service: Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 11am at Heavenly Gates, Shreveport.
Lester Ray Tillman, Sr.
April 6, 1953 — April 26, 2024
Service: Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 11am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Southside.
Samuel Richard Hollowell
June 27, 1943 — April 25, 2024
Service: Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 11am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.
Barbara Ann Jordan
March 28, 1958 — April 27, 2024
Service: Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 2:45pm at Cotton Valley Cemetery, Cotton Valley.
Roy Franklin McClure
November 1, 1947 — April 14, 2024
Service: Friday, May 3, 2024, 10am at St. Margaret Catholic Church, Homer.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or SBJNewsLa@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to SBJNewsLa@gmail.com)
April 29, 2024
SCHOOLS CLOSED: Caddo Parish Schools closed today
Last night the Caddo Parish Public School system issued a notice to the public regarding a school closings:
Due to widespread power outages and impacted roadways, all Caddo schools and sites will be closed on Monday, April 29. We are working with our utility partners to develop a plan for reopening schools.
Issued: Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 10:30pm
Shreveport bond propositions easily pass
By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux was upbeat Sunday afternoon, and why not? All three bond propositions proposed by the City, totaling $256 million, overwhelmingly passed Saturday.
“I’m elated, and greatly appreciative of the support the people have given the City of Shreveport,” Mayor Arceneaux told the Shreveport-Bossier Journal. To me, it shows what we are capable of doing when we all work together.”
Eighty percent of voters supported Proposition #1, which earmarked $125.1 million for streets infrastructure projects. Eighty percent of voters also supported Proposition #2, which called for $82 million to be spent on water and sewer projects. Seventy-Eight percent of voters agreed to allocate $49.3 million for police, fire, and SPAR projects.
“I think it will have a significant impact because we had gotten so far behind,” Mayor Arceneaux said. “I think the other impact is the level of cooperation and the spirit of togetherness of the council members who were supportive. That really helped propel us forward. I think (the bond passage) is not only going to be physically significant, but emotionally significant.”
Voter turnout was 13%, with an average of 16,252 votes cast.
“It’s not unusual for a bond election,” Mayor Arceneaux said of the low numbers. “Bond elections are pretty complicated matters. You want to make sure you’re having the full attention of the public focused on it, and probably the people who were most focused were the people who went to vote. It’s a little higher than I (expected). I thought it would be about 10 percent, so it was higher than I thought, but it is what it is.”
The City said it will start receiving money for the bond projects in October, and while some work could start late this year, there will be a significant increase in work in 2025.
Passing of all three propositions, the City said, will result in an increase to taxpayers of approximately $100 per a $100,000 home by the end of five years. The increases, on a small scale, will start in 2025, with the full impact not likely to be felt before 2028 or 2029.
Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com.